# Cynegius

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For the praetorian prefect of the East, see [Maternus Cynegius](/source/Maternus_Cynegius).

**Cynegius** (Greek: Κυνήγιος, *Kunegios*), as he is known in the Greek text of [Mark the Deacon](/source/Mark_the_Deacon)'s *Life of Porphyry*, or **Ğeniḡos** (from Greek Γενικός, *Genikos*), as he is known in the [Georgian](/source/Georgian_language), was a [Christian](/source/Christians) counsellor of the [Roman emperor](/source/Roman_emperor) [Arcadius](/source/Arcadius) (395–408).[1][2]

According to the Greek text of the *Life*, Cynegius was a member of Arcadius' *[consistorium](/source/Consistorium)* with the rank of *[clarissimus](/source/Clarissimus)*, although the expected rank for a *comes consistorianus* is *[spectabilis](/source/Vir_spectabilis)*.[3] The Georgian text says explicitly that he was a *[comes](/source/Comes)* (count).[1] He was sent by Arcadius to [Gaza](/source/Gaza_City) in 402 to close down the [pagan](/source/Paganism) temple known as the [Marneion](/source/Marneion).[3] This mission came at the request of a group of bishops led by [Porphyry of Gaza](/source/Porphyry_of_Gaza). Cynegius was chosen for the task by the Empress [Aelia Eudoxia](/source/Aelia_Eudoxia).[4] In his successful mission, he was assisted by both the *[dux](/source/Dux)* and the *[consularis](/source/Consularis)* of [Palaestina Prima](/source/Palaestina_Prima).[3]

Paul Peeters, the editor of the Georgian text of Mark's *Life*, and Raymond Van Dam argue that the name Cynegius is likely an error in the Greek text and that the authentic name is Genikos. The Georgian text is based on a [Syriac](/source/Syriac_language) original.[1][2] On the basis of the Greek text, most scholars have concluded that the official who closed down the Marneion was a relative of [Maternus Cynegius](/source/Maternus_Cynegius), perhaps his son.[3][4] The elder Cynegius is known for closing temples in [Egypt](/source/Roman_Egypt) and [Syria](/source/Roman_Syria), leading John Matthews to see the selection of the younger Cynegius as indicating a common religious zeal.[4] On the other hand, Van Dam and Peeters see the selection of the name Cynegius by a later editor of the Greek *Life* as indicating the name's association with temple closures.[1][2][5]

If the name Cynegius is authentic, then he may be identified with the addressee of a letter of Bishop [Firmus of Caesarea](/source/Firmus_of_Caesarea) dated to 438. Firmus calls him a *comes* and the language of the letter is that between two aged friends.[4]

## References

1. Raymond Van Dam (1985), "From Paganism to Christianity at Late Antique Gaza", *Viator* **16**: 1–20, at 14n. [doi:10.1484/j.viator.2.301417](https://doi.org/10.1484/j.viator.2.301417)

1. Paul Peeters (1941), "La Vie géorgienne de Saint Porphyre de Gaza", *Analecta Bollandiana* **59**: 65–216, at 83. [doi:10.1484/j.abol.4.00879](https://doi.org/10.1484/j.abol.4.00879)

1. John F. Matthews (1967), "A Pious Supporter of Theodosius I: Maternus Cynegius and His Family", *The Journal of Theological Studies* **18**(2): 438–446, at 441–442.

1. Giulia Sfameni Gasparro (2009), "Porfirio di Gaza, un «uomo santo» fra pagani, eretici e maghi: modelli retorici di propaganda religiosa e realtà storica", in Mariangela Monaca (ed.), [*Problemi di storia religiosa del mondo tardo-antico: tra mantica e magia*](http://www.academia.edu/download/30413295/curPROBLEMI_DI_STORIA_RELIGIOSA.pdf#page=201)[dead link] (Edizioni Lionello Giordano), p. 201–294, at 241n.

## Further reading

- F. M. Marique (1963), "Another Cynegius of the Fourth Century", *Classical Folia* **17**: 60–62.

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